Artic air is blanketing much of the northern Midwest and Plains this morning, sending below zero readings as far south as parts of Kansas. Much of the area has only a thin snow cover, raising concerns about damage to a winter wheat crop that could cover the fewest acres since 1913. Corn prices are finding support from record ethanol production last week, though export sales out this morning are expected to be modest. Outside markets are quiet, while Wall Street waits for the latest numbers on employment.

Listen to today's audio commentary with the online player below.

Senior Editor Bryce Knorr first joined Farm Futures Magazine in 1987. In addition to analyzing and writing about the commodity markets, he is a former futures introducing broker and is a registered Commodity Trading Advisor. He conducts Farm Futures exclusive surveys on acreage, production and management issues and is one of the analysts regularly contracted by business wire services before major USDA crop reports. Besides the Morning Call on www.FarmFutures.com he writes weekly reviews for corn, soybeans, and wheat that include selling price targets, charts and seasonal trends. His other weekly reviews on basis, energy, fertilizer and financial markets and feature price forecasts for key crop inputs. A journalist with 38 years of experience, he received the Master Writers Award from the American Agricultural Editors Association. And you can follow Farm Futures throughout the day on Twitter at www.twitter.com/farmfutures.